This is an 68 years old lady with serious parelesia on her left side. She walks alone with very dificulty but there she goes trough the gym doing her exercises. I offer my help and she accepted. I'm aware that we must focus in gaining muscular tonus and flexibility in order to recover autonomy. The weight must be acording her being confortable (wish means none by now) and we should focus also in improving ROM.

Answers (2)

you certainly meant to do a very nice thing when you offered this lady your help. I assume you plan to do so without a charge. I am not surprised that she accepted.

You also got yourself into a real dilemma. If she had approached you for personal training, you would have to insist that she provide a physician's sign-off that clears her to exercise with you. She probably has seen a physical therapist who gave her exercises and who you can possibly talk to.

Frankly, there is no way you can safely go ahead without any of that. Even if she is a non-paying client, you need to treat her just the same. I am sure you have a contract spelling all this out. In her case, you would be negligent not to obtain this paperwork, then assess and move forward accordingly.

I understand your desire to help but you are risking your career if things go wrong and you have nothing to back you up.

Nice of you to offer help; so, now you want to suggest that she get physical therapy and a doctor's clearance. That is how you will help the most, by protecting her as well as yourself. Karin offers good advice.

If she is done with physical therapy, then ask to see copies of exercises that were utilized before, so you know how to continue. You may also want to ask others around you for assistance.

With all that out of the way, try to work on fall prevention exercises which will be most beneficial.
Good luck and stay safe.